Page 260 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

258  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

One of the keys to Croatia’s tourist success hiking and biking throughout its
is that it is blessed with such bountiful wonderfully diverse topography. There
natural resources – waterfalls, islands, are also less energetic activities to be
hills, rivers, lakes, canyons, mountains, enjoyed. Croatia has several thermal
pine woods and verdant parks – all soaked spa centres that can be a bit utilitarian
in dependable Mediterranean sunshine. but are getting better as retreats for
To its credit, Croatia has responded well by unwinding after some activity. Finally,
providing a good infrastructure backed by of course, the coastline and myriad
a multitude of organizations to get visitors islands have a glittering choice of
climbing and rafting, sailing and surfing, beaches for sunworshippers.

medical assistance and surveill-
ance, cafés, bars and restaurants.
Marinas are classified according
to the level of service they offer
and charge accordingly. The
Adriatic Croatia International
Club, also known as ACI
Marinas, runs a chain of 22
marinas to which you can take
out a yearly contract for use of
all facilities and discounted
berth fees. In addition there are
plenty of temporary moorings
Sailing along the Croatian coast available. Or you could simply
overnight in a deserted bay.
Sailing former requires that you show Another way to experience
The Croatian coastline has many a valid licence with at least the combination of sailing and
natural harbours, ports and 2 years’ experience on it and Croatia’s unique coastline is to
marinas, making it a real haven register the crew. You are then enroll on a special holiday to
for sailors. As a result, the best free to sail off on your own. learn how to sail. Bareboat
way to fully appreciate the “Skippered” means that for Sailing Holidays offers holidays
rugged beauty of Croatia’s about another 130 euros per for sailors of all different levels of
Adriatic coastline is not by car day, plus food, you’ll have a local experience, although there are
but by yacht or motorboat. in charge who knows exactly plenty of other similar companies.
With clean, clear sea, steady, what he or she is doing. Prices Coastal radio stations give
moderate winds, waters in vary depending on the size of weather updates in both
which it is easy to anchor and boat and time of year. The Croatian and English. Useful
well-equipped marinas open British company Nautilus radio stations include Radio
all year round, a sailor’s life is Yachting, for example, will
made easy in Croatia. If possible, arrange a week “bareboat” on an
avoid July to August, unless you 11-metre (36 ft) boat sleeping
really want to spend the time six for around 2,200 euros, while
with every weekend admiral the Croatian company Club
in Europe. May to June or Adriatic has a few 4-berth
September to October are more 10-metre (33 ft) craft for around
peaceful, cost less and what is 1,800 euros, again for seven days.
more the weather is still good. Anyone sailing to Croatia in
The Croatian National Tourist their own boat must report to
Board (www.croatia.hr) lists the nearest Harbour Master’s
over 140 companies with some Office on arrival if it is over
2,700 boats available for hire, 3 m (10 ft) in length and has
typically rented out on a weekly an engine over 4 kW.
basis from 5pm Saturday to From Umag to Dubrovnik,
Saturday next at 9am. The most Croatia has 50 marinas with
important decision for the everything a sailor could want:
holiday maker is whether to go refuelling and repair services, Mooring in the harbour
“bareboat” or “skippered”. The water and electrical hook-ups, at Makarska

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